Medway has been chosen to host next year’s Modern Pentathlon European Championships.

The international sporting event will see the world’s leading competitors – including reigning Olympic and world champions – compete in the area in 2011.

And the championships – which will be held at the recently opened centre of sporting excellence at Medway Park - will take on an added significance as they will be an official qualifying event for the 2012 Olympic Games.

This is because the top eight in both the men’s and women’s competitions will qualify automatically for the London Olympics.

The Modern Pentathlon European Championships – which follow the successful staging of the Modern Pentathlon World Cup at Medway Park in April this year - will be hosted in Medway from 28 July to 1 August next year.

Cllr Howard Doe, Medway Council Portfolio Holder for Community Services, said: "To see the world’s best pentathletes competing in Medway and qualifying for the Olympic Games in London 2012 will be a proud moment for our community."

Modern Pentathlon is made up of five disciplines - fencing, swimming, show jumping, running and shooting – held on the same day.

The European Championships begin with the semi-finals on July 28 and 29. The top 36 men will compete in their final on Saturday, July 30 and the top 36 women will compete in their final on Sunday, July 31. The competition finishes on Monday, August 1 with the team relays.